State against Aer Lingus’ entire sale

THE Government will attempt to block any sale of Aer Lingus’ valuable landing slots at Heathrow once the airline is privatised, Finance Minister Brian Cowen has indicated.

Speaking at an IMI management conference in Wicklow yesterday, the minister said the Government had no plan to sell the entire airline once it is floated on the stock exchange.

Minster Cowen was speaking as Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion told the Oireachtas Transport Committee the company intended retaining a presence in Heathrow.